Country : United Kingdom Label : International Anthem Genres and styles : Ambient / Celtic / Contemporary Jazz Year : 2020

To Cy & Lee : Instrumentals Vol. 1

· by Steve Naud

Alabaster DePlume? Behind the name is Angus Fairbain, an odd duck, saxophonist and activist. In order to make him known on this side of the Atlantic, the good people of the  International Anthem label had the idea of compiling the instrumental pieces that were scattered all over his first albums, released on various small British labels. Without the composer’s words, the political dimension of his work is absent. So let’s focus on the music.

The iconoclastic character draws his inspiration from various sources: Ethio-jazz, Celtic and Japanese folklore, music for video games… Another influence mentioned by DePlume is the work he did in a centre for disabled people, including Cy and Lee, to whom the album title refers. He played music with them, to help them to socialize and communicate. These sessions were recorded and served as background material for some of the tracks on this collection, which also includes two new compositions.

From the very first notes of the album, one gets caught up in the sounds DePlume knows how to coax out of his saxophone. It evokes Albert Ayler’s characteristic vibrato, as much as Charles Lloyd for his silky breath. The famous DJ Gilles Peterson and saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings (Sons of Kemet, The Comet Is Coming) have rightly praised his playing.

From one end of the album to the other, matters progress without hurry through a flossy realm, to the rhythm of strings, flutes and keyboards that judiciously accompany DePlume’s saxophone.  His various influences blend naturally and create an ageless music that warms the heart.

Latest 360 Content

Transforming Hiroshima mon amour into contemporary opera: Christian Lapointe and Rosa Lind tell the story

Transforming Hiroshima mon amour into contemporary opera: Christian Lapointe and Rosa Lind tell the story

Sparks – MAD!

Sparks – MAD!

“Hiroshima, mon amour”: An Evening to Remember

“Hiroshima, mon amour”: An Evening to Remember

Peter Murphy – Silver Shade

Peter Murphy – Silver Shade

Ken Pomeroy – Cruel World

Ken Pomeroy – Cruel World

Art of the Line: Klangkarussell’s Euro Vision at SAT

Art of the Line: Klangkarussell’s Euro Vision at SAT

Festival des Saveurs | Closing With Reggae

Festival des Saveurs | Closing With Reggae

Centroamérica – a powerful docu-play about truth and connection in an age of distance and denial

Centroamérica – a powerful docu-play about truth and connection in an age of distance and denial

Lido Pimienta – La Belleza

Lido Pimienta – La Belleza

Tamir Barzilay – Phosphene Journal

Tamir Barzilay – Phosphene Journal

The best ‘’Candlelight concert‘’ ever.

The best ‘’Candlelight concert‘’ ever.

Men I Trust – Equus Caballus

Men I Trust – Equus Caballus

The Halluci Nation – Path of the Baby Face

The Halluci Nation – Path of the Baby Face

A lap steel guitar choir and an angel to end the Innovations en concert 24-25 season

A lap steel guitar choir and an angel to end the Innovations en concert 24-25 season

The OSM and Abel Selaocoe: Evenings When You’d Like to Stop Time

The OSM and Abel Selaocoe: Evenings When You’d Like to Stop Time

Reaching for the sky: Francis Choinière’s challenge to end his OPCM’s 10th season

Reaching for the sky: Francis Choinière’s challenge to end his OPCM’s 10th season

Piknic 3: A Little Bit of Everything Under the Sun

Piknic 3: A Little Bit of Everything Under the Sun

Cazzu – Latinaje

Cazzu – Latinaje

Stereolab – Instant Holograms On Metal Film

Stereolab – Instant Holograms On Metal Film

SMCQ | In memoriam Jocelyn Morlock

SMCQ | In memoriam Jocelyn Morlock

Abbey Road at Festival Classica

Abbey Road at Festival Classica

Mira Choquette – Hier encore

Mira Choquette – Hier encore

Jared Dunn; Anna Gorecka – Gorecki’s World of the Piano

Jared Dunn; Anna Gorecka – Gorecki’s World of the Piano

Subscribe to our newsletter